Voices of AI Forum 2025: Accelerating UAE–France Collaboration in AI and Innovation
The transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) was under the spotlight at the recent “Voices of AI: UAE-France Business Forum” hosted at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. This prestigious event, organized in partnership with CCI France UAE, brought together visionaries from academia, industry, government, and investment sectors to chart the next phase of AI collaboration between the UAE and France.
Strengthening UAE–France AI Cooperation
A major focal point of the forum was the impressive UAE-France AI cooperation agenda. Recent developments, especially the framework agreement announced at the AI Action Summit in February, have set the stage for ambitious joint ventures. A standout initiative is the plan to develop Europe’s largest AI data centre, with investments projected between $30–$52 billion. The first phase of this pioneering project is expected by 2028, involving dynamic collaboration between MGX, BPI France, Mistral AI, and NVIDIA.
What sets these partnerships apart is their commitment not just to technological prowess but to building strategic bridges—connecting French and UAE startups, universities, public institutions, and investors, weaving a robust and inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Forum Highlights: Key Themes and Takeaways
The forum agenda was rich and varied, delving into some of the most pressing topics in today’s AI landscape:
- Data Center Infrastructure & Energy Sovereignty
- Industrial Applications of AI
- Education, Talent Development & Research Collaboration
- Financing Models for Scaling AI Ventures
A particular area of emphasis was the advent of agentic AI. As Simon Jessup, eCommerce Director and Middle East Digital Leader, succinctly described: “As capital, computing, and energy infrastructures rapidly scale, the real inflection point will come with agentic AI. Unlike traditional AI models, agentic systems can plan, act, and adapt. This capability promises to usher in a materially different era and a new inflection point.”
Navigating Challenges: Data, Adoption, and Trust
Despite the excitement around new AI frontiers, attendees acknowledged significant challenges—notably around data management, technology adoption, and establishing trust among users. The importance of ongoing and progressive training was underscored, especially in an environment characterized by Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns, which points to the rapid pace and compounding nature of technological progress.
Jessup reflected, “One of the panellists aptly described the feeling today as one of ‘vertigo’ as we head towards a period of transformative change, perhaps akin to the second industrial revolution, or at least comparable to the first digital transition with the ‘information superhighway,’ marked by the advent of Netscape’s first web browser (showing my age!).”
Human Capital in the Age of Intelligent Machines
As AI permeates more aspects of business and society, the role of human capital—especially skills such as critical thinking and emotional intelligence—is only becoming more vital. Retaining cognitive control in a world of intelligent machines is a universal challenge and a call for investment in talent, education, and research.
Looking Forward
The Voices of AI Forum 2025 made it clear: the path to a future defined by meaningful AI innovation will be built on international collaboration, strategic dialogue, human-centric values, and a commitment to continuous adaptation.
The stage is now set for the UAE and France to shape the next chapter of digital transformation, driving ecommerce, industry, and public welfare through shared knowledge, infrastructure, and vision.
Team V.4-LKDN-UAE
